thejabberwockyproject

[thejabberwockyproject]

What movie was playing in the hotel room?  Is it Vertigo?

[thejabberwockyproject]

P wanted posters in her room and the only ones readily available are these!! They finally see the light of day after 17 years!!! #sailormoon #ivewaitedsolong #missedyousomuch #imnevergonnaletyougo

[thejabberwockyproject]

A few preemptive words about Episode 408, “Remembrances”…

In a couple hours the eighth chapter of Korra Book 4 will be released online, and I suppose, if you are none the wiser, a few minutes into it you will feel duped and yell at your screen, “Hey! This is a crummy clips episode!” And that is (almost) exactly what it is––except we all worked really hard to make sure at the very least it isn’t crummy. I’m here to explain why we ended up having to do one. Sometime around a year and a half ago we were similarly duped on a large scale. We got the news from the higher-ups that our Book 4 budget was getting slashed, almost to the tune of an entire episode’s budget. We had two options: 1) let go a significant number of crew members several weeks early, or 2) make a clips episode. We never considered the first option. We weren’t going to do that to our crew, and even if we were callous enough to do so, we never would have been able to finish the season without them. But having grown up on TV in the ’80s and ’90s, we all dread clips episodes, where characters sit around saying, “Remember that time when…” and leftover footage is reheated for no one’s enjoyment. Anyone who suffered through TNG’s “Shades of Gray” knows what I’m talking about.

Anime fans know this is a common occurrence in Japanese series as well. In fact, as Mike hung his head in disappointment at our fate, I remembered how one of my favorite anime series, Samurai Champloo, made what I thought was a really awesome and clever clips episode. They mixed about 5 minutes of new footage in with the old, and set up a context where the characters would be reflecting on past events while narrating over them, offering new insights or at least providing some humor. I pitched this angle to Mike and he agreed this was the best way to turn this big old lemon into some lemonade.

Back on Avatar, we had something that functioned as a sort of clips episode, though it was all new animation and really hard to make, Episode 317, “The Ember Island Players.” Our heroes went to a play where they saw themselves and their tales performed by actors on stage. It was simultaneously a reckoning for the characters before they headed into the denouement, and a lighthearted romp where we got to poke fun at our own show before things got really serious in the remaining episodes. Korra’s “Remembrances” ended up serving the same function, albeit with old footage instead of a newly animated play. There is about 5 minutes of new footage, wonderfully animated by Studio Mir, and a bunch of funny and touching narration from the characters. There are also some fun chibi heads and other treats in there to spice up the old footage.

What started out as a reluctant chore ended up being a really fun episode to make, and in the end I truly love it. Mike did an awesome job directing it and storyboarding all the chibi hilarity, as well as overseeing the wonderful script by Josh Hamilton, Katie Mattila, and Tim Hedrick. Joaquim Dos Santos, Ryu Ki Hyun, and Lauren Montgomery drew fantastic storyboards for the new footage (particularly Lauren’s insane Varrick posing). Lots of other folks worked their tails off on this one, namely Amaris Calvin, our animatics editor; Christie Tseng, our character designer who drew and colored all of the final chibi art; Matt Gadbois, our After Effects artist; and Chris Hink, our final picture editor. Last but not least, Aran Tanchum and Vinny Guisetti on foley, Benjamin Wynn on sound design, and a stellar new score with all your favorite hits by Jeremy Zuckerman. And plenty of other fine folks I’m forgetting!

So now you know what it is and why it happened. I hope you do end up enjoying it after all, especially as a last lighthearted, nostalgic romp before POOP. GETS. REAL. And then the series is done.

Love, Bryan

P.S. I forgot to mention our cast’s amazing performances, especially John Michael Higgins’ million words a minute as Varrick in act three!

[thejabberwockyproject]

The kids love the clock and want to learn how to tell time. I came across this flower idea on Pinterest. Penelope just came home, saw it, and was so excited. Less than 10 minutes and a $3 clock from Walmart, colored card stock from my stockpile, and some hot glue.

[thejabberwockyproject]

After weeks of stalking them online, I finally caught up with the South Pacific Grill food truck here in Tampa! My Hawaiian food cravings were satisfied! 👍😍🐓🐷. How soon is too soon to go back for more? @south_pacific_grill #Hawaii #FoodTruck #Tampa #KaluaPork #HuliHuliChicken #Florida #ono

[thejabberwockyproject]

My first anime convention purchase back in 1995 or 1996. 😍 I think it was Pensacon in Pensacola.

[thejabberwockyproject]

A watched pot never boils - Is that how the saying goes? I'll just stand here quoting movie lines to no one in particular. Right now I've got Night at the Roxbury on my mind. #yeahimbored #yeahimawesome

[thejabberwockyproject]

Woohoo! One can never have enough Pokémon! 💖💘💗 #Pokemon #Nintendo #3dsxl #3ds #OmegaRuby #AlphaSapphire #gamerwife #gamermom #gamergirl #demo

[thejabberwockyproject]

Woohoo!! One can never have enough Pokémon games. #pokemon #omegaruby #sapphireblue #demo #gamermom #nintendo #3dsxl #3ds

[thejabberwockyproject]

Tuesday morning ha-ha's. #nerdhumor #poe

[thejabberwockyproject]

Damn I love this show! 

[thejabberwockyproject]

Episode 2. This show is too cute. @hereisgina #JanetheVirgin

[thejabberwockyproject]

Les Mills Combat Extreme Cardio: Dodgeball Edition. 60 minutes of punching, kicking, jumping, pushups, and more while my 5 year old pelted me with a Frozen ball. #LesMillsCombat #ExtremeCardio #FitAfterKids #Dodgeball #Frozen #FitFam #FitMom #fitmomprobs

[thejabberwockyproject]

I love Pope Francis. #PopeFrancis #Catholic #BeGood #Change

[thejabberwockyproject]

Super excited to get started with this! Chase isn't too excited. 😢 #homeschool #firstgrade #spelling #allaboutspelling

[thejabberwockyproject]

RDJ is a Jigglypuff lover. 😃🎶💖🙌 #Jigglypuff #Pokemon #RobertDowneyJr

[thejabberwockyproject]

Curse this move! My poor 3DS has been so neglected! #gamermom #gamerprobs